Association between breakfast intake and short-term memory, performance and mood among Saudi female adolescents

Amal  Alrayes; Hajar  Alowayshiq; Hind  Altamimi; Reem  Alangari; Nada Benajiba

doi:10.51745/najfnr.2.4.75-80

Nutrition Education and Dietetics Infant, Child, and Adolescent Nutrition

Amal Alrayes ⁽¹⁾ , Hajar Alowayshiq ⁽²⁾ , Hind Altamimi ⁽³⁾ , Reem Alangari ⁽⁴⁾ , Nada Benajiba ⁽⁵⁾

(1) Clinical Nutrition Program – Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh , Saudi Arabia

(2) Clinical Nutrition Program – Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh , Saudi Arabia

(3) Clinical Nutrition Program – Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh , Saudi Arabia

(4) Clinical Nutrition Program – Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh , Saudi Arabia

(5) Clinical Nutrition Program – Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh , Saudi Arabia

https://doi.org/10.51745/najfnr.2.4.75-80

Issue
Vol. 2 No. 4 (2018): July - December: 2018

Submitted
June 18, 2018

Published
September 6, 2018

Keywords:

Breakfast intake, mood, short-term memory, performance, Saudi female adolescents

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Abstract

Background: Breakfast consumption is labelled as the most important meal of the day. It might be of significant importance for adolescent students as it might influence their short-term memory, performance and mood. However, the prevalence of skipping breakfast among adolescents in Saudi Arabia is high. Aims: To investigate the association between breakfast intake and short-term memory, performance and mood among Saudi female adolescents. Methods and Material: A Cross-sectional study was conducted in a secondary female School (Riyadh) involving 170 (15-19 years). Structured questionnaires on breakfast eating habits, student performance at school, a standardized questionnaire mood and feeling and a standardized short-term memory test. Statistical analysis used Chi2 test and ANOVA test to assess the association between breakfast intake and the studied parameter. Results: Only 39% of participants keep their daily breakfast. Frequency of breakfast intake was strongly and positively associated with improved performance (R2=0.87, p<0.001), and to short-term memory score (R2=0.5, p<0.05). However, no correlation between daily breakfast intake and mood was obtained. Conclusions: This study confirmed the high rate of skipping breakfast among Saudi female adolescents, and provides further evidence on the beneficial effect of breakfast intake on student’s short-term memory as well as the school performance. Nutrition education program targeting this population should be implemented to enhance its awareness on the importance of breakfast intake.